Has anyone converted their metallic reloading press to operate by power? Either electric, pneumatic or hydraulic? Where did you find the plans or did you wing it? I found plans in an old American Rifleman and have made a pistol reloading press from scratch, it uses an eccentric wheel powered by a fractional HP gearmotor. It moves slowly enough with the gear reduction that I can control it with a foot switch. Pics of your creation would be appreciated.

Along long time ago in a far and distant land the Vice-President of manufacturing approached me concerning an automated shot shell reloading press. Being that I was involved in mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical design he thought the project would be to my liking. I was also knowledgeable in programming CNC machinery also and at that point semi literate with CAD.

This was afterhours work strictly on the QT. The design went as far as solid modeling, prototype, and patent attorney. The Vice-President wanted his name exclusively on the patents. I engaged my own attorney to represent my interest. We reached a financial settlement and a nondisclosure agreement.

The Vice-President of manufacturing opted for early retirement and relocation to start his new business. Unfortunately he suffered a debilitating stroke which resulted in his passing. His widow was take the money and run going of to Florida. The venture ended with his demise.

The design had several innovative features and was primarily for addressing club level requirements.

The monies I received for that project created a college fund which fully funded my children’s education expenses.

Sgt Preston here. The problem with reloading typically is that the brass is different, different headstamps fired from different pistols. I reload on a Dillon 550 & can "feel" the differences & know when there is a "problem". Once you connect an air cylinder, hydarulic cylinder, servo motor, etc the "machine" & you won't know there'a a problem until it breaks something. For example let's take 45 ACP's, a basic & simple round & case UNTIL somebody decided to poision the brass supply by making NT (Non Toxic) casings. NT's use a small (diameter) sized pistol primer rather than a large primer. Soooo if you don't carefully examine all of your brass & you run into an NT case & try to insert a Large Pistol primer in a Small Pistol counterbore, the cylinder or motor will try to "force" the large primer into a small hole. It may go "BANG" or it just may smash the primer-- either way it's a wasted round & a jammed machine. BUT, on the other hand, if you are using all NEW high quality components then it could work. Of course you could add torque sensors, a computer, a scrap ejection chute at each station, etc, but it 's going to get "pricey" & take an electronics technician to keep it running. Just one old Jarheads observations & opinions, Your Mileage May Vary. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA